Welding tool



March 7, 1944. J. M. RADABAUGH WELDING" TOOL Filed Aug. 6, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet 1 .man

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March 7, 1944, J. M. RADABAUGH WELDING TOOL Filed Aug. 5, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet 2 parts, detached.

Patented Mar. 7, 1944 'UNITED STATES PATENT Y'oi-Fics WELDING, 'rooLJohn M. nadabaugnmount Vernon, ohio Application August 8. 1942, SerialNo.7453,861

(ci. 21e-s) 7 Claims. This invention relates to welding tools and moreparticularly to a novel form of electrode holder for use in electric arcwelding. The object of the invention is to provide a welding bar holderof simple and inexpensive construction having an insulated handleprovided with longitudinally disposed-flutes or corrugations to allowfree flow of air therethrough, thereby to prevent overheating of thehandle. which is an objectionable feature in the present types ofwelding barholders now on the market. A further object of the inventionis to provid an electrode holder in which the bar clamping rod orelectrode is' mounted for rotation in the holder for wiping contact withthe welding bar, thereby to assist in removing foreign particles fromboth the bar and sure a clean contact between the parts at all times. Afurther object is to provide an electrode holder having a tapered cablereceiving socket formed with angular exterior walls spaced from theinterior of the handle to form air passages and further to provide aperforated sleeve surrounding the electrode to permit the escape of hotair from the enclosing tube of saidelectrode.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form ofinsulating tip to prevent grounding when the holder is laid down on thework. 'said tip being so constructed as to permit the escape of heattherefrom.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve thisclass of devices so as to increase their utility, durability andeillciency.

In the accompanying drawings:

4 Figure 1 is a side elevation of a welding bar holder constructed inaccordance with the present invention. l

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewshowing, in dotted lines, howthe welding bar can be held at any desired angle with respect to theelectrode. i

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line`33 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is a similar (-4 ofFisure 2.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal ly in elevation, of the electroge and itsassociated Figure 6 is. a similar view showing the tube and perforated.sleeve surrounding the elecelectrode and in assisting in cooling thehandle; r portion of the bar is provided with a socket I5 Figure 7 is atransverse sectional view taken on the line 'I-l of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a perspective view oi' the ventilated handle detached,portions thereof being broken away to show the construction of theflutes or ribs.

The improved welding bar holder forming the subjectl matter of thepresent invention comprises a rotatable supporting handlev 5, preferablycylindrical in shape, and formed of vulcanized rubber or other suitableinsulating material, said handle consisting of an outer sleeve 6 and aninner sleeve I provided with longitudinal ribs or corrugations ldefining intermediate passages 9 to permit the freeilow of air throughthe handle to prevent overheating thereof. 'I'he sleeves 6 and 1 may beof integral formation but it is preferred to make said sleevesseparately and force one within the other to provide a tight fit betweenthe parts. i j

Disposed within the handle 4A5 is a metal bar III having a reducedthreaded portion II' terminating in a longitudinally disposed rodconstituting an electrode I2. The outerend of the bar vIll is enlargedand provided with a'plurality of angular faces I3 which bear against theinner wail of the handle 5 to form intermediate passages I4 so that theair can freely circulate between the bar and the handle for the purposeof The enlarged adapted to receive the terminal I6 of an electric cable,indicated at Il, there being set screws il threaded through the walls ofthe socket II and engaging the cable for detachablyn holding said cablewithin the socket. The walls of the socket I5 at the mouth thereof arepreferably curved or deflected laterally, as indicated at I I', toassistin guiding the terminal of the cable within' 40 the socket.

Fitted in an opening Il in the bar I0, is a coil ably supported pin 2|,the outer end of which is adapted to fit Within a correspondingly shapedopening 22 formed in the handle I `for...the purview taken on the linepose of locking the handle to the bar I0 so as to rotate therewith.Surrounding the electrode l2 sectional view, partis a tube.23 having athreaded collar 2l secured thereto and engaging the threaded portion Il,

5o as best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

trode, the insulated tip 'being removed in order terminal.

with respect to Threaded on vthe outer -end of the tube 23, at 24', is ahollow tip 25 preferably formed of copper and provided, with pairs oftransversely alined openings 26 disposed at diil'erent angles thelongitudinal plane of the electrode for the purpose of supporting awelding bar, indicated in dotted lines at 21. at any desired angle orinclination. Fitted over the copper tip Il is an insulating jacket 2lhaving openings 2l formed therein in registration with the adjacentopenings 2|, said insulating jacket being open at its outer end andextended longitudinaliy beyond the adjacent end of the copper tip 2l soas to prevent grounding oi' the holder when said holder is laid down onthe work. The inner walls of the insulating jacket 28 are oi' angularformation, as indicated at 30, so as to permit the escape oi heatincident to a welding operation. The copper tip 25 is provided with aspring pressed pin 3i adapted to seat within an opening 32 formed in theinsulating jacket 1I for the purpose of detachably holding theinsulating' jacket in position on the tool. Surrounding the tube 23 is alongitudinally serrated hard rubber sleeve 33 constituting a stationaryhandle, and formed in said sleeve are spaced openings 34 whichV registerwith corresponding openings l5 in the tube 2l to assist in permittingthe escape oi heat from the electrode. The tube 23 is'formed with aplurality of lateral spurs 3B which engage the insulating sleeve andserve to intimately unite ,the same. 'I'he terminal of the electrode I2is preferably inclined or beveled, as indicated at 3l, so as to permitsaid terminal to engage the welding bar 2l irrespective of the angle orinclination of said welding bar. It will here be noted that inasmuch asthe electrode is adjustable longitudinally and mounted for rotation withthe handle, the terminal of said electrode will have a wiping contactwith the welding bar 21 so as to assist in removing foreign particlesfrom both the bar` and electrode and thus insure a clean contact betweenthe parts at all times.

In operation, the welding bar 21 isextended transversely through theopenings in the copper tip and insulating jacket, after which theoperator' grasps the stationary handle or sleeve 33 with one hand andthe rotary handle 5 with the other. By now rotating the handle 5, theelectrede will be forced in engagement with the wlding bar. thereby toclamp said welding bar in position on the tool, as will be readilyunderstood. By rotating the handle 5 in the reverse direction, theelectrode will be disengaged from the welding bar so as to permit theremoval thereof when desired.

Prom the foregoing description it is thought that the construction andoperation of the device will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art, so that further description thereoi is deemed unnecessary. Itwill, of course, be understood that the device may be made in diiierentsizes and shapesand constructed of any suitable material withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. f

Having thus described the invention, what ls claimed is: f

l..` A welding bar holder comprising a rotary handle including inner andouter tubular members one of which is provided with radial ribs denningintermediate longitudinal passages to permit the flow oi airtherethrough, a longitudinally adjustable electrode operativelyconnected with the handle for movement therewith and provided with anenlarged portion ntting within the inner tubular member and formed withintersecting angular exterior walls bearing against said inner tubularmember at their points oi intersection to form auxiliary air passages. atube surrounding the electrode and having threaded connection with saidelectrode. a tip piece mounted on the end oi the tube and provided withtransversely alined openings ior the reception ot a welding bar, andaninsulating jacket surrounding the tip piece and normally projectinglongitudinally beyond the adjacent end of said tip piece to form a guardto prevent grounding oi the holder, said electrode` being movable intoclamping engagement with the welding bar upon rotation of the handle.

2. A welding bar holder comprising a hollow rotary handle includinginner and outer tubular members one' of which is provided with radiatingribs denning intermediate air passages to permit the ilow of airlongitudinally through said handle, a longitudinally adjustable`electrode operatively connected with the handle for movement therewithand provided with an enlargement having intersecting angular exteriorwalls engaging the inner wail of the inner tubular member at the pointsoi intersection oi said angular walls and denning auxiliary airpassages, there being a socket formed in said enlargement adapted toreceive a power cable, a tube surrounding the electrode and havingthreaded engagement therewith, and a tip piece threaded on the tube andprovided with transverse openings for the reception or a welding bar,said electrode being movable into clamping engagement with the weldingbar upon rotation oi the handle. A

3. A welding bar holder comprising a hollow rotary handle having anopening therein, a longitudinally adjustable electrode mounted forrotation with the handle, said electrode being provided with anenlargement iltting within the handle and having intersecting angularexterior walls bearing against the inner wall oi said handle at thepoints vof intersection of said angular walls to Iorm intermediate airpassages,

l said enlargement being provided with a cable receiving socket having abell-shaped mouth. a spring pressed pin carried by the enlargementandiitting withintheopeninginthehandle,a tube surrounding the electrodeand having threaded engagement therewith. a tip piece secured to thetube and-provided with transverse openings for the reception of awelding bar, and an insulating jacket surrounding the tip piece andnormally projecting longitudinally 'beymd the adjacent end of said `tippiece to form a guard to prevent grounding of the holder; said electrodebeing movable into clamping engagel: ment with the welding bar uponrotation of the 4. A welding bar holder comprising a longitudinallyadjustable electrode having a threaded portion, a tube surrounding theelectrode and provided with threads engaging the thrcadson theelectrode. a welding bar supporting tip l0* cured to the tube, means forconnecting the electrode to a power cable, an insulating jacketdetachably secured to and surrounding the tip and provided withinteriorangular walls engaging said tip and dening air passages; the endof the jacket being spaced longitudinali! from the adjacent end of thetip to form a guard to prevent' grounding ot the holder, and a handleconnected with the Velectrode for rotating the electrode into clampingengagement with the welding bar.

5. A weldingl bar holder comprising a longitudinally adjustableelectrode having a threaded portion, a tube surrounding the electrodeand provided with threads engaging thethreads on the electrode, awelding bar supporting tips secured to the tube, means for connectingthe electrode to a power cablefan open-ended insulating jacketsurrounding the tip and detachably mounted thereon the outer open end ofthe jacket normally projecting longitudinally .be-

; yond the adjacent end of the tip to form a guard to prevent groundingof the holder, a spring locking pin carried by the tip and engaging thejacket for detachably holding said jacket in' position on the tip, and ahandle operatively-cony nected with the electrode for rotating saidelectrode into clamping engagement with a welding Y bar.

6. A welding bar holder comprising a longitudinally adjustable electrodehaving one end thereof enlarged and provided with intersecting exteriorwalls and an interior socket for the reception of a power cable, saidelectrode being provided with a threaded portion adjacent theenlargement, a perforated tube surrounding the electrode, an interiorlythreaded collar iitted to one end of the tube and engaging the threadson the electrode, a tip piece secured to the other end `of the tube andprovided with transversely of the tip to form a guard to preventgrounding of the holder, a locking pin carried by the tip pieceandengaglng the insulating jacket, a tubular handle secured to theenlarged end of the electrode and having its interior wall bearingagainst the exterior 'angular walls of said enlargement at the points ofintersection of said angular walls and a detachable connection betweenthe handle and the electrode.

7. A welding bar holder comprising a 1ongi tudinaliy adjustableelectrode having one end thereof enlarged and providedv withintersecting angular exterior walls and an interior socket and anotherportion thereof threaded, a rotary tubular handle surrounding theangular portion of `the electrode and bearing against the an guiar wallsat the intersection thereof to form intermediate air passages, means fordetachably connecting the handle with the electrode .to rotatetherewith, a tube surrounding the electrode and having a threaded collarengaging the threaded portion on the electrode, said collar being spacedfrom the interior walls of the handle to form an air passagecommunicating with the irst mentioned air passages, -a tip piece securedto the end of the electrode and provided with transversely alinedopenings for the reception of a welding bar, an insulating jacketsurrounding the tip piece and projecting longitudinally lbeyond the endof the tip piece to form a guard to prevent grounding of the holder. andan insulating sleeve-surrounding the electrode between the threadedcollar and in- Y sulatin Jacket.

JOHN M. RADABAUGH.

